How do I apply for a Non-O retirement visa if my funds are not seasoned for 2 months yet?

Aug 12, 2024
3 months ago
Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I am a little confused on dates for non-o retirement visa. I entered Thailand on August 1st with a 60 day tourist visa, with last date of September 29. I now have house rental and bank account, and expect to have 800,000 in bank by August 16th. As money needs to be in bank for 2 months for visa, this would be October 16th. I realize I can extend current tourist visa by 30 days, with new exit date around October 29th. But I also understand that I need to apply for retirement visa with at least 15 days left on current visa extension. How does this work? Do I initially apply for retirement visa before money is in bank for 2 months? Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on the timeline and requirements for applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand. They entered on a 60-day tourist visa and plan to extend it. They are unsure if they can apply for the retirement visa before having the required 800,000 THB in their bank account for the full two months as needed for the visa application, questioning if it's possible to apply while still being short on seasoning time.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
John **********
You do need a minimum of 15 days at most immigration offices but some are 21 days. Most don't require the 800k baht is in the bank for any amount of time (only that it comes from overseas) but some do. It's best that you visit your local immigration office and ask them exactly what their requirements are, most will have a handout outlining this
Bart **************
@John *********
Thai logic again šŸ˜…

If you worked in Thailand, you cannot retire in Thailand. You can retire in Thailand only if you worked elsewhere. If you worked in Thailand you must retire elsewhere šŸ¤£

Same as buying a house.
Brandon ************
@Bart *************
It's only the conversion that requires proof of transfer from overseas. If you get your visa from a Thai embassy before you travel to Thailand, the extension does not have this requirement.
Bart **************
@Brandon ***********
it's exactly the people who have worked in Thailand who may want to do this conversion. Those who worked elsewhere can use an Embassy.
John **********
@Bart *************
but if they have worked in Thailand they will most likely be on an extension of stay already so all they need to do is change the reason for the extension. No need for them to go through the non-o visa process.
Bart **************
@John *********
ah right, overlooked that difference.
Phil *******
Can i ask how you managed to get a bank account on a tourist visa?
Fernando ************
@Phil ******
it was extremely easy. Did not hire an agent or attorney. I did it while being in Jomtien.

Went to bank (Bangkok Bank). Asked for info. They said:

Get the certificate of residence

From

immigration. I did.

For Bank:

400bht for atm card

5,900 1 yr accidental insurance.

Plus whatever amount you decide to put in acct. I believe min was 200bht. I put 500bht. If no activity in bank after 1 yr, you will be charged a fee.

Also, 1 or 2 photos required for bank.

Also, Driverā€™s License required.

Also, fill out paperwork regarding home country, residence, birth, ss# (country tax ID), address, income, education, etc. All info one should know.

I also needed to have a copy of passport (1 of entry stamp and other of front page of passport).

Needed 2 more passport pics for Immigration. Fees at immigration were very low. They have a photocopy shop across immigration (Jomtien). This process was also easy. Note, I had to have a proof of residence of place where I am staying. The landlord should provide this. All this can be done on average 2 days. I dressed appropriately while at immigration. I believe they opened at 9am. Once I submitted all the info to Immigration, they had me come back next day. I was there by 9am. They quickly attended me and gave me a number to return at 2pm. Once I returned at 2pm, I waited about 7 min and they gave me the certificate without saying a word (5 seconds). That was it.

Went to Bangkok bank and all worked out - no issues. Could deposit more money after I was done. The ATM was not taking deposits. I went somewhere else and made another deposit to confirm all was working. It did.

The PIN for ATM card they made me choose had to be 6 digits.

I may have left out something but overall it was all easy.
Michael ********
@Fernando ***********
Thank you for that information. We are coming across from the UK next month and a friend of mine who is helping us out to open a bank account confirms what you have said. We will be using the same immigration office.
Fernando ************
Yes. I guess an I.D will suffice.
Debbie ***********
@Fernando ***********
you needed a driver's license to open a bank account?
Fernando ************
@Phil ******
about 10 days ago. I landed and got the 60 day visa.
Phil *******
@Fernando ***********
was this recently? I'm being told in Chiang Mai that it can't be done on a tourist visa.
Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a Thai attorney ( not agent) who has contacts at Bangkok Bank. I did not pay the attorney for this service, but did have to buy the ā€œinsuranceā€ sold by the bank at 5900 baht
Kool *******
@Richard **********
it is actually very good accident insurance.
Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
good to know, thx!
Mark ********
@Phil ******
this is what I did... looong time ago now but it worked. I went into Krungsri and explained to them Ive sold my house in my home country and Im moving to Thailand. I am going to buy a condo somewhere and I would like to open a Thai bank account today so that I can send 5 or 6 million baht for a purchase. I havent found the condo yet but I want to be ready to go once im here permanantly on my OA visa.

Ive never seen a bank worker run so fast. ( bank account was opened within 45 minutes)šŸ˜Š
Rich ****
Great question. Thanks.
Chris *******
In most locations you will only need the money in for 1 day when applying for the initial 90 day non-o based on retirement.

Then the 800k needs to be seasoned for 2 mths before applying for the 1 yr extension.

** only a couple that have been mentioned need it seasoned before the visa**
Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bob **********
Exit and return 60 exempt stamp and apply or if the 800 k is in the bank go tomorrow
Graham ******
The 800k does not need to be seasoned for the initial 90 day Non-O Visa (unless you are using Jomtien Immigration)
Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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